About this course

Entry requirements

We expect applicants to have a good 2.1 or 1st-class undergraduate degree, or equivalent. Exceptions may be made for mature students or applicants without formal academic qualifications but with substantial related experience, who may be called for interview. If you are a non-native English speaking applicant you must provide evidence of your English language ability. You need to show enough fluency in all aspects of English (reading, writing, speaking and listening) to the required level of the course you're applying to.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Department of History of Art at York is an internationally recognised centre for study and research. We offer world-class expertise in the visual arts, architecture and art theory. The department is one of the largest and most dynamic communities of art historians in the UK. We have more than twenty permanent members of staff who teach and research topics that range from the medieval period to the present. Each year we host visiting professors and scholars from around the world who contribute to our exciting teaching and research programme at York.

The MA in History of Art (British Art) is a pathway degree which combines specialisation with flexibility. It is suited both to those of you who are beginning a journey towards a PhD in a particular field, and to those of you who wish to further develop undergraduate or personal interests. The pathways have emerged from clusters of excellence and expertise in the Department and relate directly to our Research Schools of Architectural History and Theory, British Art, Medieval Art and Medievalisms, and Sculpture Studies. We therefore have concentrations of staff working in these areas, and related lectures, colloquia and site visits taking place.

If you select the British Art pathway you could choose options from different periods spanning from the Anglo Saxon to the contemporary. In order to complete the degree, at least two of your four option modules and your dissertation must be completed in British Art. Beyond this, the programme structure provides the flexibility for you to either specialise entirely in British Art, or to select up to two of your option modules from art history modules outside the field, or from modules offered by other humanities departments and interdisciplinary centres.

Training will be offered in both general and pathway-specific research skills, which will prepare you for the development of a sustained independent research project for your dissertation, on which you will work closely with an academic supervisor who is expert in the field.

Our aim is always to generate a diverse, innovative and stimulating range of options, covering art history and architecture from the early medieval period to the contemporary. The list of options offered each year will vary according to staff availability, but will include modules to which curatorial or research staff from Tate will contribute.

Information for international students

York is a research-intensive university and a proud member of the elite Russell Group of universities. Information about international fees can be found on our website.

Fees and funding

Department and University scholarships may be available, please check our website for details: Fees and funding